In order to effectively load and fire a musket, musketeers were taught a series of 24 orders, to be carried out in sequence. An illustrated abridged version is provided below:
Handle your piece
Open your pan, clean your pan
Handle your primer and prime your piece
Close your pan, blow of loose powder and cast off loose powder
Cast about your piece
Handle your charge and charge your piece
Put down your bullet and wad
Withdraw your scouring stick, reverse and shorten your scouring stick
Ram home your charge with three goodly thrusts!
Withdraw your scouring stick, reverse and shorten your scouring stick, replace your scouring stick.
Handle your piece, cock and try your match
To your enemies fore present, open your pan
Give Fire!